Title: Transport in Plants

AIM: To determine the volume of water transpired by a leafy shoot after one hour.
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS: Leafy shoot, razor blade, bowl, Vaseline, pair of shears,
beaker of water, P.H. photometer.
PROCEDURE:

A leafy shoot whose stem can fit into the potometer was selected.
The shears were used to cut the leafy shoot from the plant then the cut end
of the shoot was plunged into the beaker of water.
Assuming the cut end, and not the leaves were immersed, the shoot was
rapidly transferred to a beaker of water.
The razor blade was used to cut off the bottom of the stem at an oblique
angle while it was still under water.
The potometer was immersed in water then moved around a bit to remove all
the air bubbles.
While under water the cut end of the shoot was carefully inserted into the
rubber sieve, keeping the leaves out the water as much as possible.
The reservoir tap was closed before the apparatus was removed from the
water.
After the apparatus was removed from the water, the joint between the stem
and potometer was greased.
Any air bubbles that were present in the system were expelled.
A bubble was allowed to enter the capillary tube.
A trial run was performed to ensure that the apparatus was working.
The tap was opened to the syringe and the plunger was used to return the
bubble to the beginning of the tube. The tap was closed.
The distance moved by the air in one minute over 10 minutes was measured.
The average distance moved by the bubble was found and used to calculate
the volume of H2O transpired by the shoot in an hour, given that the diameter
of capillary tube is 1 mm.
The data was tabulated and all calculations were shown.

RESULTS:
Time (mins)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Distance moved by bubble

(cm)
2.7
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9

Distance moved by bubble

per minute
0.0
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1

CALCULATIONS:
Average distance moved by bubble per minute:
(0.1 x 9 + 0.3) / 10 = 0.12cm
0.12cm x 60 = 7.2cm
Amount of water transpired by shoot per hour:
V=r2h
V= 3.14 x 0.005 x 7.2 = 0.0565cm3

DISCUSSION:
Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation
from aerial parts, such as leaves, stems and flowers. Water is necessary for plants
but only a small amount of water taken up by the roots is used for growth and
metabolism. The remaining is lost by transpiration. Leaf surfaces are dotted with
pores called stomata, and in most plants they are more numerous on the undersides
of the foliage. The stomata are bordered by guard cells which open and close the
pores. Transpiration occurs through the stomatal apertures, and can be thought of
as a necessary "cost" associated with the opening of the stomata to allow the
diffusion of carbon dioxide gas from the air for photosynthesis. Transpiration also
cools plants, changes osmotic pressure of cells, and enables mass flow of mineral
nutrients and water from roots to shoots. Mass flow of liquid water from the roots to
the leaves is driven in part by capillary action, but primarily driven by water

potential differences. In taller plants and trees, the force of gravity can only be
overcome by the decrease in hydrostatic (water) pressure in the upper parts of the
plants due to the diffusion of water out of stomata into the atmosphere.
A potometer also known as transpirometer is a tool used for measuring the rate of
water loss of a leaves of the plant. The major reason for water loss is transpiration
and photosynthesis. Transpiration is the loss of water from leaves and stems and
essential process in green plants. Several factors that can affect the rate of
transpiration are humidity and temperature of the air, intensity of light and wind.
Potometer readings will differ according to the variations in temperature, light,
humidity, windy and the contribution of water for the plant. The potometer is
assembled underwater, with everything submerged except the leaves to ensure no
air enters.
CONCLUSION: The volume of water transpired was determined to be 0.0565cm3.
PRECAUTIONS:
When a stem is cut from a plant, it should be immediately put under water (only the
cut portion). Then, a small part is cut under water. This prevents entry of air into the
xylem vessels.
LIMITATIONS:
A twig may not be active for a long time.
Introducing an air bubble may not be easy.